Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction in Northampton, MA

Every wisdom tradition has a ‘contemplative practice’, yet the ‘mindfulness’ movement in the western world is a secular one. Why? Because ‘mindfulness’ is so effective in helping thousands of people improve the quality of their lives, regardless of faith. Over the past 30 years, since Jon Kabat-Zinn founded his Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction class, there have been numerous research studies supporting the changes many participants find after 8 weeks of practice.

Lasting decreases in physical and psychological symptoms, including pain

An increased ability to relax

An enhanced ability to cope with pain that may not go away

Greater energy and enthusiasm for life

Improved self-esteem

An increased ability to cope effectively with short and long term stressful events

The world is compelling with its overwhelming demands for our attention. On automatic pilot, we often make choices without measuring the cost, to our relationships, health or quality of life. The bill comes later. But if every choice we make either nourishes or dimishes our lives, then why don’t we choose what works? Because, the feedback system is ‘broken’.

Our bodies offer all kinds feedback, all the time. But most of us soldier on, unaware. We over-ride, disconnect or more simply, just never learned how to ‘read’ the signals our bodies give. Indigestion? Pop a rolaid. Back pain? How about an advil? Can’t sleep? Perhaps some Ambien will do. We’ve learned to medicate, but not to respond in a way that shifts our choices to ones that nourish our lives. Before we know it, we’re living in pain, feeling angry, disconnected, alone, desperate, anxious, or simply, bored and tired. And we’ve no idea how we arrived there.

When we nourish ourselves, we experience the world as pleasureable. When we don’t, we experience discomfort or pain.

Mindfulness practices can help bring awareness to each moment, so that we naturally build our capacity for understanding the language of the body so that we can make better choices for our lives.

If your life is dominated by ‘unpleasant experiences’, including anxiety, pain, discomfort or high levels of stress, you may wish to consider the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction course.

Course Structure

Eight weekly classes and one day-long class, including:

Guided instruction in mindfulness meditation practices

Gentle stretching and mindful yoga

Group discussions aimed at enhancing awareness in everyday life

Individually tailored instruction

Daily home assignments

Two home practice CDs and a home practice manual

The course is challenging and life-affirming. The learning environment is skillfully designed to be safe, supportive and deeply engaging.

Course Details

What:
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program

Dates:

Next MBSR course – TBA

Where:

Somatic Center
25 Main St., Suite #208
Northampton, MA 01060

Who:
Kristen Chamberlin, MS, LMT, RSMT, SEP

Cost:

Sliding Scale $400-$600

Once course has minimum # of participants, no one will be turned away for lack of abiliy to pay.